Objective:[WT5BZ] The effects of exogenous vitamin C (VC) and glutathione (GSH) on ultraweak spontaneous luminescence of culturing pulmonary alveolus macrophages from rabbits were studiesd. [WT5FZ]Methods:[WT5BZ] In a special thermostat, which was passed through by airs with various concentrations of oxygen, the alveolar macrophages (AMs) were cultured in DMEM medium with VC or GSH, and the spontaneous luminescence of culturing AMs was examined by a luminometer. [WT5FZ]Results:[WT5BZ] when VC in medium was over 0.3 mmol/L, it could significantly enhance the oxidative luminescence of cells exposed to O 2 and cell death was resulted. However, when the cells were exposed to air without O 2 there was no significant effect. On the contrary,the lower concentration of VC (0.03 mmol/L) as well as GSH could reduce the spontaneous luminescence of cells exposed to a high concentration (99.1%) of O 2 in air. [WT5FZ]Conclusion:[WT5BZ] The results show that the spontaneous oxidation of culturing cells is an important reason for the ultraweak luminescence. High concentration of VC can promote cellular oxidative damage in vitro, but the exogenous GSH has a protective effect against oxidization in culturing cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of α3 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on apoptosis and p38 signal transduction pathway in SH-SY5Y cells and to assess the roles of α3 nAChR in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSThe levels of α3 nAChR mRNA and protein were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA. The mRNA level of bcl-2 and bax was measured by the real-time PCR. The siRNA transfected SH-SY5Y cells and control were then treated with 10 µmol/L Aβ25-35 for another 48 h, and the change in apoptotic rate and the levels of p-p38 and p38 were measured by flow cytometry and Western blot. Subsequently these SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to a blocker of p38 protein, and the apoptotic rate was measured again.

RESULTSCompared to the controls, the expression of α3 nAChR at mRNA and protein levels in the SH-SY5Y cells transfected with α3 nAChR siRNA decreased by 95% and 86%, respectively; the mRNA levels of bax increased 2.11 times and that for bcl-2 decreased 0.53 times. The apoptotic rate was unaffected (3.40% ± 0.20%); but it increased after Aβ25-35 treatment (24.52% ± 1.59%); the level of p-p38 protein also increased by 178% in the α3 nAChR inhibited cells treated with Aβ25-35. Compared to controls, the Aβ25-35-treated SH-SY5Y cells and the Aβ25-35-treated and siRNA-transfected cells both showed a reduction in apoptosis after treatment with p38 blocker, especially in the former.

CONCLUSIONThe siRNA silencing of α3 nAChR mRNA may enhance the effect of Aβ25-35 on the cell apoptosis by increasing the levels of p38 protein and bax mRNA and decreasing the level of bcl-2 mRNA, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; etiology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment quality of juxtaglomerular cell tumor of the kidney. Methods Three patients(2 females, 1 male) were diagnosed with juxtaglomerular cell tumor of kidney and underwent nephron-sparing surgery. Case 1 was female, 15 years old. She presented with hypertention of 245/135 mm Hg. The serum kalium was 2.5--3.0 mmol/L. Thelaboratory examination suggested that in decubitus and standing position, the plasma renin activity (PRA) was 2.2 and 3.5 μg · L-1 · h-1 , angiotensin Ⅱ (ATⅡ) was 181.2 and 481.4 ng/L; aldosterone(ALD) was 332.4 and 747.9 pmol/L, respectively. Dynamic enhanced CT scanning demonstrated a tumor with the diameter of 1.3 cm in right kidney. Case 2 was male, 39 years old. He presented with hypertention of 180/120 mm Hg. The serum kalium was 2. 7--3.0 mmol/L. In decubitus and standing position, PRAwas8.1 and 9.2 μg·L-1 · h-1, ATⅡ was 198.3 and 279.1 ng/L, ALD was 285.3 and 761.7 pmol/L, respectively. Dynamic enhanced CT scanning showed a tumor with the diameter of 1.2 cm in right kidney. Case 3 was female, 26 years old. She presented with hypertention of 210/120 mm Hg. The serum kalium was 4. 1 mmol/L. In decubitus and standing position, PRA was 0.1 and 0.3 μg · L-1·h-1 , ATⅡ 56.2 and 71.5 ng/L, ALD 321.3 and 421.1 pmol/L, respec tively. On dynamic enhanced CT scanning, a tumor with a diameter of 3.0era was located in left kidney. Results Partial nephrectomy was successfully performed in 3 patients, including 1 (case 2) retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. Pathologic examination revealed encapsulated tumors in all cases. Light microscopically, the tumor consisted of clusters of polygonal cells, and the cell had centrally located nuclei and slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm. Thick walled vessels were usually present. The tumors showed positive immunostaining for actin and CD34. Three patients were followed up for 23,4, 26 months respectively and all remained normotensive without any treatment. No recurrence or metastasis occurred. Conclusions Hypertention, increased PRA, secondary aldosteronism, hypokalemia are characteristics for juxtaglomerular cell tumor of the kidney. Dynamic enhanced CT scanning has high sensitivity. Partial nephrectomy or enucleation of tumor are both effective surgical treatment. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery is safe and effective as well.

Objective To observe the effect of using Ambroxol hydrochloride(AM)to wash respiratory way to treat neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS) in ventilator,to explore dynamic changes of respiratory mechanics after using AM to wash respiratory way.Methods Thirty premature infants were chosen according with diagnosis criterion,which were randomly divided into 2 groups: NS group(n=15);AM group(n=15).Both NS and AM groups were treated with Babylog 8 000 ventilator,and routine treating and nursing,NS group was given for washing respiratory way in NS group,whereas AM was done in AM group.Pulmonary compliance(C),time constant(Tc),respiratory resis-tance(R),C20/C and minute volume(MV)were observed in both groups.Blood gas was routinely checked after 1 h ventilation treatment,and X ray was shot after 24 h.Results Pulmonary C significantly increased in weaning than that of beginning ventilation(P0.05),MV significantly increased in group AM than NS,respectively[(0.56?0.12) L/min and(0.35?0.11) L/min(P0.05).But ventilator-treating-time was markedly shorter in group AM than NS,respectively(60.52?6.23) h and(98.21?5.82) h(P

Objective To explore the changed status of the intestinal flora microecology in the model infant rats with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) by integrative method.Methods To establish 20 infant rats model with IBS.The IBS rats were randomly divided into the treatment group A with bifico and positive control group B,and another 10 infant rats which grew up regularly were taken as negative control group C.The feces smear staining and intestinal flora detection was performed in the 3 groups respectively,meanwhile the dry and wet weight of each group rats feces and the content of water in the feces were compared.Results The intestinal flora imbalance rate of infant rats IBS group(A+B) was 70%,and there was 30% in the control group C,the difference between model group and group C was very significantly(?~2=4.34 P

OBJECTIVE Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma is an official plant that grows in arid or semi-arid areas.Our early work demonstrated that Cistanche extracts protect against sperm damage in mice under bisphenol A induced reproductive damage. Echinacoside (ECH)is one of the major active components. The present study investigated the mechanisms behind the possible protective effects of ECH against oligoasthenospermia in rat and identified the interaction between ECH and AR. METH-ODS The distribution of ECH was assayed by HPLC,the quantity and quality of sperm was evaluated and hormone levels were determined by radioimmunosorbent assay. The levels of androgen receptor (AR)and key steroidogenic-related genes were reduced as determined by Western blotting and qPCR analysis.The interaction between ECH and AR were evaluated by fluorescence localization assay,indi-rect ELISA and molecular docking. RESULTS ECH significantly increased the quantity of sperm and secretions of luteinizing hormone and testosterone.ECH was distributed to the hypothalamus but not in the testes.ECH combined with hypothalamic AR in the pocket of Met-894 and Val-713 to inhibit transfer of AR from the cytoplasm to nuclei in the hypothalamus.While negative feedback of sex hormone regula-tion was inhibited, positive feedback was stimulated to increase the secretion of luteinizing hormone and testosterone subsequently enhancing the quantity of sperm. C. militaris significantly alleviated the BPA-induced reproductive damage by increasing testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and glutathione (GSH); as well as by reducing serum malondialdehyde (MDA). C. militaris not only obviously enhanced the levels of serum LH and T, but it also improved the sperm count and motility compared to the BPA-treated group.CONCLUSION C.militaris and ECH protect the BPA induced reproductive damage.ECH blocks AR activity in the hypothalamus to increase the quantity of sperm and protect against oligoasthenospermia in rats.

Through repeated study on the "through joint crossing meridians needling method" in Zhenjiu Dacheng and clinical practice, it is held that it seems hard to induce qi moving along the meridian through joint to the affected region according to the statement of "through joint crossing meridians needling method" in Zhenjiu Dacheng. If "through joint crossing meridians needling method", "activating qi method" and "qi-lifting method" are combined, the possibility of qi constantly flowing centrality through joint from the remote acupoint at four limbs to the affected region will be distinctly elevated. Clinically, the authors used the "through joint crossing meridian" needling method, attaining qi reaching to the affected region, and acupuncture at only one point can achieve a better therapeutic effect.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Meridians

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of acupuncture parameters on the acupuncture effect through the cluster analysis in Wistar rat model with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

METHODSDuplicated MCAO models by Zea-longa's thread ligation and chose rats with 1-3 scores assessed by Zausinger's six-score method to be grouped. The rats were divided into 6 basic control groups [(including a normal group, a sham group, a model control group, a model group without intervention, a Nimodipine group, a lateral-to-Renzhong (DU6) group] and 6 acupuncture groups [a Neiguan (PC6) group, a Weizhong (BL40) group, a Sanyinjiao (SP6) group, a Chize (LU5) group, a Renzhong (DU6) group and a Feixue (non-acupoint) group]. In the acupuncture groups, for every acupoint or needling site, 9 different parameters [2 factors (frequency and time) and 3 levels (180, 120, and 60 cpm of the frequency and 5, 60, and 180 s of the time)] were set respectively by the orthogonal intersection method, in total 54 groups. The rats were treated by acupuncture with a lifting-thrusting manipulation once every 12 h, in total 6 times. Neurobehavioral scores, cerebral blood flow, infarction rate, microcirculation, light microscopy, etc. were measured. The factor analysis was first applied to get the comprehensive effect scores of the samples in the acupuncture groups and then by which the cluster analysis was made with the statistical software of SPSS17.0.

RESULTSFor the Neiguan (PC6) group, the exceptional results of acupuncture comprehensive effect were parameters 7, 8, 9, 10; the valid results were parameters 2, 3, 4, and the invalid were parameters 5, 6. For the Weizhong (BL40) group, the exceptional results were parameters 2, 4; the valid results were parameters 3, 5, 6, 7, and the invalid were parameters 8, 9, 10. For the Chize (LU5) group, the exceptional results were parameters 7, 8; the valid results were parameters 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10; and the invalid was parameter 2. For the Sanyinjiao (SP6) group, the exceptional results were parameters 4, 6; the valid results were parameters 2, 3, 5; and the invalid were parameters 7, 8, 9,10. For the Renzhong (DU6) group, the exceptional results were parameters 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10; the valid results were parameters 2, 5; and the invalid was parameter 8. For the Non-acupoint group, the exceptional result was parameter 10; the valid results were parameters 2, 3, 4, 7, 9; and the invalid were parameters 5, 6, 8.

CONCLUSIONSFor each meridian acupoint, different acupuncture parameters could consequently get a different acupuncture effect; each meridian acupoint had the most suitable or optimal acupuncture parameters; acupuncture parameters might be the main factors impacting on acupuncture effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Cluster Analysis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVESTo study the acupoint specificity through the comprehensive evaluation of the acupuncture effect on rat model with the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

METHODSDuplicated MCAO model by Zea-longa's thread ligation was assessed by Zausinger's six-point method, and rats with 1-3 scores were chosen to be grouped. According to the randomized and controlled principle, rats were divided into 6 basic control groups (including normal group, sham group, model control group, model group without intervention, Nimodipine group, lateral-to-Renzhong group) and 6 acupuncture groups [including Neiguan (PC6) group, Weizhong (BL40) group, Chize (LU5) group, Sanyinjiao (SP6) group, Renzhong (DU6) group and non-acupoint group]; in each acupoint or non-acupoint 9 different parameter combinations were respectively set by orthogonal intersection method. There were in total 60 groups, and each group had 12 rats. The rats were treated by acupuncture with the lifting-thrusting manipulation every 12 h, in total 6 times. Indices of neurobehavioral scores, cerebral blood flow, infarction rate, microcirculation, and light microscope, etc. were measured. In order to comprehensively evaluate the acupuncture effect to research the specificity of acupoint, a cluster analysis was made with SPSS17.0 for the comprehensive effect scores of the samples computed according to the comprehensive evaluation models, and then sorting and classification were made for the comprehensive effect scores.

RESULTSIn the acupuncture groups every acupoint had different therapeutic effect due to different acupuncture parameter combinations; among the acupuncture groups the orders of curative effect were as followings: Neiguan group was of exceptional result, Weizhong group and Sanyinjiao group were of valid results in upper level, Chize group and Renzhong group were of valid results in lower level, and non-acupoint group was of invalid result; the therapeutic result of acupoint group was superior to non-acupoint group; and the curative effect of acupuncture group was also superior to basic control group.

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint has the specificity of acupuncture effect, and the acupoint specificity is relative.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Cerebral Infarction ; therapy ; Cluster Analysis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Anemarrhena asphodeloides processed by salt and raw product was compared including both chemical composition and laxative function in order to find the possible active substance to cure constipation. Processed and raw Anemarrhenae laxative effect on experimental constipation models was observed as well as chemical composition using UPLC-MS technology and the total sugar content was determined by phenol sulfuric acid method. Processed Anemarrhenae water extract improved excrement more than raw which has significant difference compared with the blank group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the total ion flow spectrum showed no significant difference in most substance, but the total sugar content was significantly higher than raw product. Anemarrhenae ancient be recognized benefitting for draining body water in traditional Chinese medicine which has been lost in modern books because it is manifested as excellent laxative effect not diuretic effect. Saccharides carbohydrate may have closely relationship with this magically effect.
Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Defecation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Humans ; Laxatives ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Male ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhizome ; chemistry